On Saturday morning, superstar rapper A$AP Rocky braved the snowstorm the North East was facing and made his way to the National Black Theater in Harlem to talk to the young men and women of the non-profit organization, Youth At Risk.

Sitting down with media personality/Youth At Risk mentor Simone “Boss Lady” Amelia, Rocky talked to the kids in a Q&A format, giving advice on how to pursue your dreams, avoid taking the wrong path, finding what’s right for YOU and more. What was really amazing about the hour-long chat was when they opened the floor for questions from the kids, Rocky truly wanted to get to know each and every one of them, and even urged the organization’s owner to allow more questions.

Though he may be living a lavish life of world tours and expensive designer gear now, Rocky grew up in shelters just like the kids he was talking to. One story he told really stuck out to me, and I wanted to share it with our readers: did you know he almost chose to work at a retail store over signing his record deal with RCA in 2011?! Below, Rocky explains how negative thoughts almost pushed him in the wrong direction, but he ultimately made the right decision…and the rest is history!

Marisa Mendez

Video Credit: Marisa Mendez
Photos Credit: Gregory Calvaire